Clinical Research
Sodium Bicarbonate Plus N-Acetylcysteine Prophylaxis: A Meta-Analysis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2009.07.015Get rights and content
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Objectives

We sought to conduct a meta-analysis to compare N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in combination with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

Background

Contrast-induced AKI is a serious consequence of cardiac catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Despite recent supporting evidence for combination therapy, not enough has been done to prevent the occurrence of contrast-induced AKI prophylactically.

Methods

Published randomized controlled trial data were collected from OVID/PubMed, Web of Science, and conference abstracts. The outcome of interest was contrast-induced AKI, defined as a ≥25% or ≥0.5 mg/dl increase in serum creatinine from baseline. Secondary outcome was renal failure requiring dialysis.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials met our criteria. Combination treatment of NAC with intravenous NaHCO3 reduced contrast-induced AKI by 35% (relative risk: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.40 to 1.05). However, the combination of N-acetylcysteine plus NaHCO3 did not significantly reduce renal failure requiring dialysis (relative risk: 0.47; 95% confidence interval: 0.16 to 1.41).

Conclusions

Combination prophylaxis with NAC and NaHCO3 substantially reduced the occurrence of contrast-induced AKI overall but not dialysis-dependent renal failure. Combination prophylaxis should be incorporated for all high-risk patients (emergent cases or patients with chronic kidney disease) and should be strongly considered for all interventional radio-contrast procedures.

Key Words

acute kidney injury
contrast
epidemiology
meta-analysis
renal pharmacology

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AKI
acute kidney injury
CI
confidence interval
NAC
N-acetylcysteine
NaHCO3
sodium bicarbonate
PCI
percutaneous coronary interventions
RCT
randomized controlled trial
RR
relative risk
ΔCr
increase in serum creatinine

Cited by (0)

Funding for this research was provided by a National Research Service Award post-doctoral training grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, T32HS000070.